Nigerians have reacted to the Federal Government’s indefinite suspension of Twitter from operating in the country.
Gatekeepers News earlier on Friday reported that the suspension was announced by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who cited the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
The development comes after Twitter deleted President Muhammadu Buhari’s tweet for violating its rules.
Gatekeepers News reported that Buhari, in the tweet, talked about the civil war experience and threatened to deal with those “bent on destroying” Nigeria through “insurrection.”
“Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand,” he had tweeted.
Displeased with the Government’s decision, Nigeria inundated the microblogging platform to communicate their disappointment.
See Nigerians’ reactions below:
The most shameful thing about the ban of Twitter in Nigeria is not even that it was announced.
It's the realisation that this government can't see the divisiveness and irresponsibility of that Buhari tweet, and the barefacedness with which it is going about it.
— 'Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) June 4, 2021
Does President Buhari and the federal government know how much young Nigerians make on social media platforms like Twitter daily? Does Lai Mohammed know the number of jobs being sustained by Twitter in Nigeria 🇳🇬? What is wrong with these people?
— Dr Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) June 4, 2021
Nigerian government suspension of @Twitter a medium of free expression and communication is bizarre and unconstitutional and should be immediately reversed. The suspension exposes Nigeria to national and international ridicule and is unsustainable
— Clement Nwankwo (@ClementNwankwo) June 4, 2021
Federal Ministry of Emotional & Irrational Reactions.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) June 4, 2021
Poor Buhari, Twitter hurt his feelings, so he must now apply Decree 4 of 1984 to them.
— Onye Nkuzi (@cchukudebelu) June 4, 2021
This has nothing to do with a recently deleted tweet but everything to do with getting back at Twitter for giving young Nigerians a voice against police brutality during the EndSARS movement!
— Fola Aina (@folanski) June 4, 2021
Fun thing is that the government really can’t ban Twitter. Telcos need Twitter traffic. Even government needs Twitter for propaganda.
It’s like when banks blocked #EndSARS accounts. They’ll lose in court. But harm already done.
— Editi Effiòng (@EditiEffiong) June 4, 2021
The real news is not the government suspension of Twitter’s operations in Nigeria, it’s that the government wants to start LICENSING SOCIAL MEDIA & OTT OPERATIONS IN NIGERIA. The regulation of social media is the real aim of all of this. It’s right there in the Ministry’s tweet.
— Tola (@adetolaov) June 4, 2021
Nigerian Government bans Twitter, and announce the ban ON Twitter. You can't make this up. Clueless.
— Banky Wellington (@BankyW) June 4, 2021
They can't stop kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorism… the country is as unsafe as ever… yet they can seize passports and block bank accounts of peaceful protesters. They ban cryptocurrency. They ban Twitter. Completely out of touch with the plight of young people.
— Banky Wellington (@BankyW) June 4, 2021
General Buhari and APC used this same Twitter to criticize past administrations and campaign for elections.. Now that the citizens are holding them accountable with the same platform, heat is catching them. They want to take away the people’s freedom to speak. Dictatorship 101.
— Mr Macaroni (@mrmacaronii) June 4, 2021
BREAKING: We're suing Nigerian authorities over their ILLEGAL indefinite suspension of Twitter in Nigeria.
Nigerians have a right to freedom of expression and access to information including online, and we plan to fight to keep it that way.@NigeriaGov, we'll see you in court.
— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) June 4, 2021
One deleted tweet is resonating louder for them than the poverty and insecurity cries of the people.
— Shadow Monarch (@BoogeyThat) June 4, 2021
Imagine how the government is quick to ban Twitter but takes forever to address insecurity and every ill in the Country.
— tbaby (@tobiloba_mary20) June 4, 2021
Really should be the United Republic of Cruise! Netflix should give us a weekly slot for this comedy show. Complete pantomime.
— Toolz O.D (@ToolzO) June 4, 2021
